Regarded as the greatest Texans player, Johnson returned to Houston on April 19, 2017 to sign a one-day contract in order to retire as a Texan. Johnson spent the last two seasons of his career with the Colts and Titans, but his heart always will be in Houston.

For more than 40 years, Allen was the bridge between Houstonians at home and the athletes on their television screens. Following his death on Oct. 19, 2016, sports figures, coworkers and others expressed their condolences to the man who had informed so many.

The outstanding catcher (1979-89) of the Astros’ Astrodome era, Ashby is one of 11 MLB catchers to catch three no-hitters, including Mike Scott’s 1986 division clincher. An Astros broadcaster from 1998 to 2005, Ash returned to call games in 2013 for CSN Houston.

Aspro, an original member of the Colt .45s (1962-68), three times in 1962 promised to hit homers for a temporarily blinded young fan. He delivered each time, including a grand slam after the boy regained partial vision.

Agile, athletic, sleek (in his own words, at least) … and still, even after winning a World Series ring with the Cardinals, one of Houston’s favorites after a productive decade (1999-2010) with the Astros.

– The consummate warrior, the Hall-of-Famer spent 16 seasons battling – and sometimes grumbling - in the trenches for the Oilers, but he gave his all for a couple of near-great teams and a few horrible ones, too.

- The spring resident already had 10 World Championship gold medals before she dominated the 2016 Olympics in Brazil. There, the 20-year old won the individual all-around gold medal and helped the United States win gold in the team event. Her success has netted her, among other things, an spot on Dancing With The Stars.

"The Duck" played beside Elvin Hayes as a Cougar, won accolades as a heady Celtics role player, then returned to take the Rockets' reigns. He didn't win, but we forgave him because he's one of the all-time good guys.

Ching came to Houston in 2006 with the San Jose Earthquakes and led the renamed Dynamo to MLS Cup titles in 2006-07. Lost in the 2012 expansion draft, he took a $200,000 pay cut to rejoin the Dynamo. The soccer icon will retire following the 2013 season.

Brian Ching – Ching came to Houston in 2006 with the San Jose... Photo-5361809.72645 - Houston Chronicle

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Roger Clemens –

Arguably the greatest right-hander in modern history, the Rocket boosted his hometown Astros to the NLCS in 2004 and the World Series in 2005. Clemens posted a 38-18 record in his three seasons with the club.